Green Print magazine explores connection between environment, humanity at Rutgers

Green Print, a School of Environmental and Biological Sciences magazine, aims to promote creative expression, authenticity and an appreciation for nature among Rutgers students, said Padma Samhita Vadapalli, a School of Environmental and Biological Sciences senior as well as co-president and editor of the publication.

She said Green Print aims to encourage students to explore both their own interactions and society’s interactions with the environment.

“The environment is more than just a backdrop to our stories. It is a living, interacting part of our lives,” Vadapalli said. “It reciprocates, changes, grows, affects and is affected by our human actions.”

Founded in the 1970s, Green Print was originally a publication covering news and events on Cook Campus, she said. In the decades since, the magazine has evolved into a space for students to examine the relationship between humanity and the environment.

“Over the years, it has exchanged hands and been through multiple leaderships,” Vadapalli said. “But at the end of the day, its fundamental focus has remained constant: to provide an open creative space where students are allowed to explore new ideas and voice their thoughts.”

She said the magazine publishes three issues per semester, which are all available on their website, with one of the issues typically printed for distribution on campus. The publication process is divided into three segments: writing, editing and design, she said. Staff writers and photographers draft their pieces, editors provide valuable feedback and a graphic designer formats the pieces into a finished magazine.

“All in all, a lot of creativity and mutual effort goes into each one of our issues,” Vadapalli said.

The magazine now features a diverse range of topics, including activism, art, culture, nature and travel, she said. One of the students involved is Jeremy Lewan, a School of Environmental and Biological Sciences junior, who has been with Green Print for two years as a staff writer.

For the magazine, he said he writes his own travel column that aims to inform his readers about the various ecosystems he has encountered around the world, such as flamingo nesting grounds in Yucatán, Mexico, as well as more local environments like hiking trails he has trekked.

Lewan said that his work with Green Print has helped him develop his skills as a writer and has prepared him for life beyond graduation.

“My ability to convey a complex scientific story in a concise and engaging manner has been greatly fortified: a powerful skill vital for my future career as a broadcast meteorologist,” he said.

All students are allowed to contribute to Green Print, and those with passion for a cause or love of writing are encouraged to join the magazine’s community of students, Vadapalli said.

“Green Print allows for the independence and diversity of thought,” she said. “All kinds of ideas and subjects are welcome. Above all, we prioritize the freedom of exploration and authenticity of expression.”

Lewan said he appreciates connecting with students that share his same passion for the environment and enjoys learning about other people's experiences through their writing.

“This magazine has allowed me to express myself with boundless freedom, and I am so grateful to have been able to meet like-minded students with the same environmental interests and concerns as I have,” he said.